Self-adjusting collar button



July 26, 1932.

Filed Jan. 6, 1932 Patented July 26, 1932 1 UNITED STATES Max H. GOLDMAN, or onIoAGo, ILLINOIS sELr-AnJusrING COLLAR summon Application filed January 6, 1932. Serial N6. 584,991.

My invention relates to improvements in collar buttons, and its object is toprovide a self-adjusting collar button formed of a single length of spring metal and having a head and a base, and a shank coiled to form a connecting post which is relatively rigid or solid to permit insertion through the buttonholes of the collar and neck band and to provide the desired connection, and which shank at the same time is self-extensible and self-retractable to permit use of the button at the front or back of the neck band or with any other different collar and neck band thicknesses without protrusion or discomfort.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is an enlarged side elevational view of a button embodying my invention; '20 Figure 2 is a plan view of the button shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 2; I Figure 4 is a view showing the button at the back of a neck band with the extensible shank in retracted position; and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, showing the button at the front of the neck band with the shank extended to accommodate the greater collar and neck band thicknesses at that position.

In carrying out my invention I employ a single piece of spring-wire 5, which, inthe illustrated embodiment of the invention, is coiled to form the shank or post 6 with a relatively large base 7 at one end and a head 8 at the opposite end.

The turns or convolutions of the base 7 may be of spiral form disposed in a single plane with one end 9 of the wire at the outer edge of the base 7, as shown. Of course. the base coil may be laid in slightly conical form to raise the center of the base above the plane of the outer base edge, and other shapes -may be adopted than that selected for illustration.

The turns or convolutions of the stem 6 are of generally helical form continuing upwardly from the central part of the base 7 in a direction generally normal to the plane of the base: The stem 6 is generally cylindrical in the illustrated embodiment, but it may be of-c'onical form with the wider end at the bottom and the smaller end at the top. The spring wire preferably is relative ly heavy, and the shank 6 is normally retrac'ted with the convolutions of the shank yieldingly pressing together one tightly upon the other, as shown in Figure l.

At the upper end of the stem 6 the wire is coiled spirally at 10 in a plane generally parallel the plane of the base 7,'a'nd from the outer end of the coiled part 10 the wire is coiled upwardly at 12 to form the head 8. The head 8preferably is relatively small to permit the same topass more readily through the buttonholes in the collar and neck band of the shirt. It may be of generally tapered or upwardly rounded form, as shown, but it is to be understood that the configuration of the head-too may vary within the scope of my present invention. Preferably, upon completingthe head 8, the head end of the 1 wire is turned in at 14 through the interior of the headand down into the coiled shank 6. The end ofithe extending. end 14: of the wire terminates short of the base 7, and the disposition of this extending end 14. through the interior of the shank 6. preferably 1 strengthens and aids in imparting rigidity or stiffness to the shank 6, particularly in'a lateral direction. Although the shank '6 is yieldable longitudinally for elongation and shortening of the distance between the base.

7 and head 8, this shank is relatively stifi' or rigid, particularly. inlateral directions. This facilitates insertion of the button through the buttonholes of the collar and neck band and provides the desiredrigidity in the shank oftbe-button so that it will hold the ends of the amount of separation between eachof the respective turns or convolutions in the shank is relatively small. In Figure 5 the amount of separationis exaggerated about the same amount as are the collar and neck band thicknesses. In use of the button the extension of the shank and the resulting rel atively slight spaces thereupon formed be tween the spring-wire turns of the shank are not formed until the button is inserted through the buttonholes of the collar and neck band. As the button is inserted the turns of the shank are close together and this, together with the relative rigidity or stiffness in the shank of the buttomperrnits insertion with ease and without interference by the extensible character of the shank.

In Figure l the buttonis shown in use at the rear of the neck band of the shirt. The shirt neck band is shown at 18 and has the usual pocket 19 for the base of the button. The collar band is indicated at 20, and the shank 6"of the button extends through the buttonholes 21 and 22 in the neck band 18 and collar band 20, respectively. The springiness in the shank 6 serves to retain the button in its relatively contracted condition and holds the base 7 in close engagement with the neck band 18 and the head 8'in close engagement with the collar band 20, thereby avoiding objectionable protrusion and possible discomfort.

When the button is used at the front of the neck band the shank 6 passes through buttonholes 23, 24, 25 and 26 in the overlapping front ends 27 and 28 of the neck band, and in the overlapping front ends 29 and 30 of the collar band, respectively. The number of thicknesses at this place is greater, and the extensible shank 6 is extended to accommodate the greater number of thicknesses and the springiness tends to contractthe shank and thereby holds the base 7 in close engagement with the neck band end 28 and the head 8 in close engagement with the collar band end 30.

I claim: 7

1, As a new article of manufacture, a collar 'button,'made up of a single piece of spring-wire, coiled at one end to form a base, at the opposite end to form a head and between the base and head to form a coiled extendible and c ontractable shank, and the head end of the "wire being turned down through the interior of the head and extending down within the interior of the shank. 1 2. 'As a' new. article of manufacture, a collarbutton, made up of a single piece of spring wire,'coiled at one endto form a base,

at the opposite end to forma head, and between'the base and'head to form a coiled extween the base and head to form' a coiled extendible and contractable shank, the head end of the button being coiled out from the shank to a dimension wider than the shank and coiled back toward the center of the head over the top of the part of the head which is coiled out from the shank.

4. As a new article of manufacture, a collar button, having a shank and enlarged end made up of a single piece of spring wire, said wire coiled to form a coiled extendible and contractible shank with the enlarged end formed by coiling the wire out from one end of the shank toa dimension wider than the shank, the wirebeing coiled back toward the center of said enlarged end from the outer margin and over the top thereof. 1

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 4th day ofJanuary,l932.

, MAX H. GOLDMAN. 

